A NEW pedestrian crossing to improve safety for school children will be put to a vote at Warrnambool City Council tonight.
VicRoads has approved a request from city officers to install a marked crossing in the service road south of the busy Raglan Parade intersection near Gateway Plaza.
A report to tonight’s meeting recommends that councillors allocate budget funds for the new crossing which is estimated to cost only $1000.
If approved the project will involve installing zebra crossing line markings, two double-sided pedestrian signs and line markings for a nearby bicycle crossing.
The principal of Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School has raised concerns with the council over the safety of pupils who have to negotiate the service road without traffic control.
Traffic counts undertaken by council staff show a peak hourly volume of 24 pedestrians and 23 vehicles.
In August councillors voted to seek VicRoads approval for the service road crossing and also two crossings on Gateway Road, two near the base hospital and one on Jamieson Street and Hopetoun Road.
There have been two community petitions presented to council in recent months seeking official crossings — one for Gateway Road and one for Hopetoun Road.
The council will only act when VicRoads approves each proposal.
With municipal elections under way the council is limited in its decision-making powers under caretaker mode. It cannot enter into a contract which exceeds $260,000 being one per cent of council’s total rates revenue.
If it considers the community would be significantly disadvantaged in not making a major policy decision the council must seek ministerial approval.
Councils also must avoid changing strategic objectives or strategies in the council plan, major planning decisions or anything that has significant impact on the municipality or community.
Tonight’s meeting starts at 5.30pm.
Tell us what you think about road safety and other council issues in our Warrnambool City Council election poll.
pcollins@standard.fairfax.com.au
